The physician, Luke, at his writing table As I thought for several days about the topic for this weekend's Sunday Morning Coming Down, all of a sudden an idea hit me. Since I just finished and published my most recent book on Kindle, I decided that my thoughts about the experience of those called to actually write the Bible was a most appropriate topic. We are not using Scripture this week as a lead in, instead we will briefly discuss the inspiration and determination all of these men felt through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
First, I think of the devotion that the calling of the Lord to put His word on paper must have required. It wasn't like modern times when they had computers following typewriters and basics like ballpoint pens and notebook paper or stationery. No, they had rough, bulky parchment and natural inks into which quills and similar instruments were dipped and used carefully to put their words in visible format to be read. Lighting was poor, they were often under great stress from those who opposed them, yet they labored on because it was a major mission.
They were men who believed, starting with the devout Jewish writers of the Old Testament such as Moses, Solomon and Isaiah as well as many that have not been identified. Then after Jesus lived there was Paul, the prolific writer of letters to congregations in places alien to Israel, keeping them abreast of his preaching travels and the physician Luke, writer of the Gospel of his own name and the Acts of the Apostles. And there was John, the big burly servant of Christ who wrote the Gospel carrying his name, three other books in his name and Revelation and Peter, the Disciple who denied Jesus three times before the sun came up on the day of His earthly death. There were numerous others as well.
And don't forget the large number of men who devoted their lives to studying the Great Book, writing extensive discourses of what was meant by every phrase, as well as those who translated the Word of God into so many versions that today the Bible is available in worldwide and can be read by all who know how to read. It's not just the privileged priests and rabbis of earlier times who can savor the words as they were presented. It can even be found in those lands that outlaw it, such as North Korea, yet people even there yearn for it and are willing to take the risk of death just to read it.
These brave Christians and Jews didn't perform their work to get rich or gather fame. They did it because they were inspired by God through the Spirit to perform this labor of love for all mankind. And it's a key reason why Christianity has stayed alive despite many obstacles to its practice, in times past and even in the present.
Christians, be thankful for the inspiration and the will of God to keep His light shining everywhere. And read His word regularly, for no matter what obstacles you face or what suffering befalls you, it will bring comfort, peace and real joy. As a writer, I can think no greater honor than that bestowed on those brave writers who were directly give the Truth that the Great Book provides. His will be done.
First, I think of the devotion that the calling of the Lord to put His word on paper must have required. It wasn't like modern times when they had computers following typewriters and basics like ballpoint pens and notebook paper or stationery. No, they had rough, bulky parchment and natural inks into which quills and similar instruments were dipped and used carefully to put their words in visible format to be read. Lighting was poor, they were often under great stress from those who opposed them, yet they labored on because it was a major mission.
They were men who believed, starting with the devout Jewish writers of the Old Testament such as Moses, Solomon and Isaiah as well as many that have not been identified. Then after Jesus lived there was Paul, the prolific writer of letters to congregations in places alien to Israel, keeping them abreast of his preaching travels and the physician Luke, writer of the Gospel of his own name and the Acts of the Apostles. And there was John, the big burly servant of Christ who wrote the Gospel carrying his name, three other books in his name and Revelation and Peter, the Disciple who denied Jesus three times before the sun came up on the day of His earthly death. There were numerous others as well.
And don't forget the large number of men who devoted their lives to studying the Great Book, writing extensive discourses of what was meant by every phrase, as well as those who translated the Word of God into so many versions that today the Bible is available in worldwide and can be read by all who know how to read. It's not just the privileged priests and rabbis of earlier times who can savor the words as they were presented. It can even be found in those lands that outlaw it, such as North Korea, yet people even there yearn for it and are willing to take the risk of death just to read it.
These brave Christians and Jews didn't perform their work to get rich or gather fame. They did it because they were inspired by God through the Spirit to perform this labor of love for all mankind. And it's a key reason why Christianity has stayed alive despite many obstacles to its practice, in times past and even in the present.
Christians, be thankful for the inspiration and the will of God to keep His light shining everywhere. And read His word regularly, for no matter what obstacles you face or what suffering befalls you, it will bring comfort, peace and real joy. As a writer, I can think no greater honor than that bestowed on those brave writers who were directly give the Truth that the Great Book provides. His will be done.
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